Detroit Gets Revenge
posted: Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 9:07 PM
After the Trail Blazers took the season's first meeting in the Motor City, the Pistons returned the favor here at the Rose Garden. It's a tough one to take for Portland fans, who saw their team fall behind early before putting together a rousing comeback that tied the game in the their quarter.
But after working so hard to get back in this one, the Trail Blazers seemingly ran out of gas. It was all Detroit from there.
It's too bad too -- the young Trail Blazers put together one heck of a comeback. They had this crowd on their feet. It would've been a game to remember.
In the end though, the experience of Detroit took charge. The Pistons win it at the Rose Garden Wednesday, 87-75.
Zach Randolph had team-highs of 21 and 11, followed by Brandon Roy's 15. Fellow rookie LaMarcus Aldridge had another solid game performance with 14 points and 10 boards.
The Pistons were led by Rip Hamilton's 21 points. Former Trail Blazer Rasheed Wallace added eight points and five rebounds.
The two teams will split the season series.
Delfino's Dunk...
posted: at 9:06 PM
...ought to do it. Detroit lead swells to 17 with under three minutes to play.
Time is Running Out
posted: at 9:04 PM
Chris Webber's jumper gives the Pistons a 15 point lead with just 3:14 left to play.
Terry Porter Gets a Hand
posted: at 8:58 PM
Even being a Detroit assistant coach wont keep Portland fans from showing Trail Blazer legend Terry Porter some love -- he got a rousing ovation as he was pictured on the jumbotron.
Just under five minutes to go, Trail Blazers down 68-81.
McMillan Receives a Rare 'T'
posted: at 8:52 PM
It's been a while since Nate was last given a technical, and at this point, his frustration is pretty understandable. The refs have given the Trail Blazers no help tonight.
After getting all the way back to even, The Trail Blazers have perhaps worn themselves out -- this is, after all the second of a back-to-back.
Still, as McMillan would tell you, that's no excuse.
The tough calls continue and Detriot are up, 77-64.
Detroit's Turn
posted: at 8:50 PM
The Pistons have responded with a surge of their own. Shots from Carlos Delfino, Billups and Flip Murray have inflated their lead to 13.
With 8:17 there's still plenty of time, but the Trail Blazers are going to have to tighten up on defense and make their move soon.
Outlaw Hits
posted: at 8:43 PM
And then again from the same spot. Trail Blazers back within six.
They get a stop. Still not out of this one by a long shot.
McDyess Rattles the Rim
posted: at 8:40 PM
Heck a dunk for the old man.
After Outlaw is whistled for a questionable travel, Chauncey Billups hits a huge three just before the game clock expires to put Detroit back up by 10. That's some bad medicine for the Trail Blazers, who worked their tails off to tie up this game earlier in the quarter.
12:00 left to play. Detroit 68, Portland 58.
Udoka for Three!
posted: at 8:32 PM
Three-me!
A stop and a Zach score cuts it back to three. 3:33 remaining and this crowd is in the game.
Webber misses and is whilstled for a loose ball foul. He's arguing and hearing the boo's from this capacity crowd.
Meanwhile, Randolph has collected another double-double. He's got 19 points and 10 boards.
Rip Finds the Seam
posted: at 8:30 PM
That's twice in a row now that Rip Hamilton found the back door cut and scored an easy layup for the Pistons, who've scored the last 10 straight points. They regained their double-digit lead until LaMarcus Aldridge put back his own miss and cut it to eight.
He just did it again, this time a put-back slam on a missed Jack three. Trailing by six.
Goin' at it
posted: at 8:28 PM
Zach and Sheed are battling hard, going at each other down on the block.
Wallace hits to give the Pistons the lead back.
Still Comin!
posted: at 8:23 PM
Zach scores and is fouled! Lead down to five!
AND JACK STEALS THE INBOUNDS PASS! LaMARCUS HITS A 12 FOOTER! Trail Blazers within THREE!
47-44, Detroit.
WAIT!
IME FOR THREE FROM THE CORNER! IT'S ALL TIED UP! THIS PLACE IS ON FIRE!
MY GOODNESS!
Half Time
posted: at 8:02 PM
Zach hit two free throws to get the Trail Blazers within seven, but Rip Hamilton was given a gift and sent to the line with 0.2 left in the half. He hit one of two.
And after shooting so poorly, the Trail Blazers are down just eight. Really, nothing to scoff at.
Randolph leads all scorers with 14 points and rebounders with 6.
Rip Hamilton has a team-13.
Closing the Half Strong...
posted: at 8:02 PM
And if the Trail Blazers can cut the lead to 10 or less, they ought to be pretty happy, considering they've shot so poorly.
Detroit is in the penalty, and Zach Randolph heads to the line for two. Sinks them both and cuts the lead to 12.
Rip Hamilton scores easily on the other end, but so, in turn, does Jarrett Jack. And Jack's shot was a THREE.
That makes it 11. Get a stop here and the Trail Blazers are right in the right place.
And yes! Jack alley-oop's to Aldridge. Detroit lead down to nine!
Loose ball foul on Webber going for the rebound. Trail Blazers will get the last shot with 4.6 seconds remaining. Timeout.
Martell Creates
posted: at 7:51 PM
Webster attacks the hoop and finished with one hand on a pretty, twising layup. More of that young man, and we're right back in it.
Trail Blazers get a stop, and Zach scores underneath.
A few more plays like this and Portland's right back in it.
38-24, Portland.
Sheed in, and Out
posted: at 7:46 PM
Just a minute after checking in Rasheed just picked up his third foul for riding the back of a posting Zach Randolph. It will most certainly send him back to the bench and he's NOT happy about it.
Sheed's teammates are holding him back so he doesn't pick up another tech, which will cause him to be suspended for another game.
Some Stats
posted: at 7:45 PM
They aren't pretty:
FG%
Portland - 21%
Detroit - 58%
That's just not going to get it done.
But wait, Zach Randolph just got a fast break dunk -- his third in three games no less. Still, Zach's teamates will probably continue to kid him about his hops (or lack thereof).
Feeling Like Yesterday
posted: at 7:38 PM
The game thus far is somewhat like a repeat of last night's game in Denver. After running the first few possessions well, the Trail Blazers are having a very difficult time executing their offense.
Brandon Roy and Zach have had some luck early, but gotten very little from anyone else.
Zach is at the scorers table, ready to check back in. At this point, if I'm coach McMillan, I got through Zach on almost every play -- with Rasheed out, there's not a Piston in sight who can cover Randolph.
31-16, Pistons. Just under eight minutes in the half.
After One
posted: at 7:33 PM
The Detroit 'D' is doing it's job.
The Trail Blazers were held to just 5 of 21 attempts in the first, though many of those were good shots that just refused to stay down.
At the end of the first the Trail Blazers are down by 10. 24-14, Detroit. Tayshaun Prince is leading the charge with nine.
Brandon Roy has six for Portland.
Zach Hits
posted: at 7:26 PM
Right in Webber's eye -- sorry buddy, but you're going to have trouble guarding Randolph all night. Zach is too quick for Webber, with his creaky knees, to body up to. And with Zach's range, Webber can't afford to step back to far. It's win-win for the Trail Blazer foward, especially with Rasheed in foul trouble.
Portland 12, Detriot 17. 2:46 to play in the first.
Another Trey!
posted: at 7:22 PM
Roy strikes again! Credit Zach Randolph with the assist.
The Trail Blazers are looking relaxed and confident on offense tonight, which is a relief after last night's slow start. They are making the extra pass and taking good shots.
Uh oh!
Sheed just got whistled for his second foul. Zach heads to the line for two (which he hits), while Sheed heads to the bench.
10-11, Detroit with 4:45 to go.
Rookie to Rookie
posted: at 7:17 PM
LaMarcus hits Brandon Roy in the corner for three, which ties it all up at five.
Rasheed then tried to duplicate Brandon's corner bucket to no avail.
Wallace however gets the ball back and takes a turnaround inside and it rolls in. Let me tell you it's and odd sensation to hear all the boo's, and then, once he makes it, the ensuing cheers. Strange indeed.
7-5, Pistons.
LaMarcus Scores First Two
posted: at 7:14 PM
Sheed being boo'ed at every touch.
A Welcome and Familiar Pre-game Sight
posted: at 7:09 PM
For the second time this season Brandon Roy was presented with Rookie of the Month honors here at center court. Paul Allen joined the shoe-in for rookie of the year as he recieved the trophy (which is now sitting right next to me) and a whole lot of appreciation from the Portland fans.
Tip-off in mere seconds...
We're On Our Way
posted: at 7:09 PM
Trail Blazers and Detroit warming up -- and yes, Mr. Rasheed Wallace is in the house. Sheed has been forced to sit out recently because of technical foul problems. Nothing new, eh Portland? Well with the new rules after a player recieves 15 tech's they have to sit out a game for every one after that.
Detroit, who like Portland, also played last night. The Pistons have won their last three straight games, and have been revitalized since signing Chris Webber. Last night they squeaked by the Sonics, 97-94.
The Trail Blazers are coming off a difficult, yet hard fought, loss in Denver.
During introductions Rasheed just got the most polarizing mish-mash of boo's and cheers I've ever heard. Should be a good one tonight.
And lest we forget, the Trail Blazers won the first meeting between the two teams back on December 5th in Detroit, 88-85. There, Zach Randolph scored the go-ahead basket with just 21 seconds remaining. He finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds in that winning effort.
We're only minutes away...
On Our Way
posted: at 7:02 PM
Trail Blazers and Detroit warming up -- and yes, Mr. Rasheed Wallace is in the house. Sheed has been forced to sit out recently because of technical foul problems. Nothing new, eh Portland? Well with the new rules after a player recieves 15 tech's they have to sit out a game for every one after that.
Detroit, who like Portland, also played last night. The Pistons have won their last three straight games, and have been revitalized since signing Chris Webber. Last night they squeaked by the Sonics, 97-94.
The Trail Blazers are coming off a difficult, yet hard fought, loss in Denver.
During introductions Rasheed just got the most polarizing mish-mash of boo's and cheers I've ever heard. Should be a good one tonight.
And lest we forget, the Trail Blazers won the first meeting between the two teams back on December 5th in Detroit, 88-85. There, Zach Randolph scored the go-ahead basket with just 21 seconds remaining. He finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds in that winning effort.
We're only minutes away...
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